I'm not smart enough to lose weight...

You seem to be doing fine to me lol. *glances at your ticker*

What makes you think you aren't smart enough?

Seriously though, I read some of these posts with all the science and math and I'm just like "Does it really have to be that complicated?!".

Just a thought...

No, it really doesn't need to be that complicated. My theory is that some people just like to hear themselves talk ("virtually"), or they don't have anything else to do with their lives... and there seems to be a group that likes to stor up controversy in the forums. The complicated formulas are not necessary for most people, and those folks who have special situations should be getting advice from a qualified professional offline, not from unknown individuals online, who may or may not know what they are talking about. For most people, reducing calories (but maintaining a healthy level), incorporating healthier foods (more fruits, veggies, lean proteins) and healthier cooking styles, and increasing exercise, works. The formulas may be correct, but in reality they are not particularly useful in the real world, where calories in and out are basically estimates, and weight loss is an empirical method of finding what works for you, and changing it up when your body adapts and plateaus.

No its not complicated. Where the complexity comes in is where people want to understand it and no one has the same answer LOL

Exactly. My "formula" has been:

Don't eat stupid things.
Don't eat stupid amounts.
Get off the couch.

Anything beyond that just gives me a headache.

This is as simple as it gets. Good point of view.

Exactly. My "formula" has been:

Don't eat stupid things.
Don't eat stupid amounts.
Get off the couch.

Anything beyond that just gives me a headache.

You should put that in a book and sell it. You've really summed it up well.

I think a lot of it is that some people are doers. They are told to do something without an explanation and are happy to do it. Others question and like to know exactly why to do things and what exactly that particular thing accomplishes. You are clearly doing excellent as a "doer", so if you don't care to understand every bit of science that goes into it, don't worry about it!

^^^^ definitely. I'm in that camp... my brain is a sponge and just NEEDS information. Once I have the gist of the "why" then the "what" makes more sense to me and is then easier to apply with confidence.


And AWESOME loss so far - you are inspiring!!!! :flowerforyou:

Exactly. My "formula" has been:

Don't eat stupid things.
Don't eat stupid amounts.
Get off the couch.

Anything beyond that just gives me a headache.

LOL love it! What works for some might not work for others. That's all there is to it I think.
Grats on your success so far :flowerforyou:

I think it gets complicated when body builders are trying to maintain muscle & drop down to 10% b.fat - That's totally different to regular weight loss.
I like your, don't eat stupid things etc. for everyone else who's not into body recomp.
congratulations!

I can get bogged down in all the info, too - especially when I start researching things like Paleo/Primal eating. I got so overwhelmed with it all one week that I realized I was just choosing not to eat at all instead of trying to figure out what *to* eat - not good!

You're right - when we're talking basic, get the pounds off weight loss - don't eat stupid, get off your butt sums it up and works just fine!

LOL At least that's how I feel after reading some of the posts here. I'm thankful for the info, but most of it just goes straight over my pretty little head.

Anyone else ever feel overwhelmed by the abbreviations and formulas and such?!

Your before and after pictures prove otherwise - great job!

I think people make this much, much harder than it needs to be.
Eat the right amount (not too little, not too much) and do some exercise.

People agonise over calorie allowances etc but the only real way to tell is to pick a set of numbers (and MFP has some pretty rational reasons for suggesting the numbers they do) and try it out - will soon tell you if it's right or not.